Last week, leaders across the town announced they were 'backing the bid' for Ipswich to become the UK's next City of Culture which could see the town awarded around £10million in prize money.
Ipswich MP Jack Abbott, numerous creative leaders across the town, as well as Ipswich Borough Council and this newspaper have all backed the bid that could spell "a lasting legacy of social, cultural, and economic change" if the town wins.
The City of Culture title was started in 2009 after Liverpool saw millions of pounds of investment when it became the European Capital of Culture in 2008.
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- Ipswich Star is backing the town's UK City of Culture bid
Previous winners, Derry/Londonderry, Hull, Coventry and Bradford, have all seen lasting regeneration and investment through a celebration of their respective history, culture and tourism.
How can Ipswich apply if it not a City?
Prior to the 2025 edition, only cities were available to put a case forward, but this criteria was changed allowing Ipswich to put together an expression of interest for the next edition in 2029.
The title only lasts for a year and is not the same as city status, which would require a different bidding process and royal approval.
How much money could Ipswich be awarded?
Ipswich will receive £60,000 if it is moved onto the eight-place longlist of applicants, £150,000 if it is selected for the four-place shortlist and £10million if the bid is chosen above any other applicant.
What sort of culture can Ipswich celebrate?
The City of Culture prize could see the town build on its already celebrated culture such as the wide-range of festivals, markets and events, award-winning theatres, grass-roots music venues, historic landmarks, iconic football stadium and team and highly thought of restaurants and pubs.
What else?
The prize money can also be spent in rejuvenating empty shopfronts and buildings in the town centre, with lasting regeneration being seen in previous winners.
Having been described as a 'once-in-a-lifetime opportunity' the funding could see widescale investment and funding into the town, alongside a widescale celebration of everything that makes Ipswich great.
What next?
Ipswich must submit its expression of interest by Sunday, February 8, with the longlist of applicants to be announced in March.
Longlisted applicants will have will then make their full application from April 2026 until the summer, with shortlisted applicants announced in the second half of the year.
The winner will be chosen in Winter of 2026, with £10million being awarded ahead of 2029.
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